10 Minimalist Challenges to Help Simplify Your Life

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” —Hans Hofmann

Minimalism is a lifestyle that holds benefit for everyone. Owning fewer possessions means we have more time, money, and energy for meaningful pursuits rather than merely material ones.

That being said, not everyone is ready to adopt minimalism fully as a lifestyle—but they can still benefit from some of the ideas.

Of course, either way, it is hard to deny the pressure of a culture that constantly tells us that more is better. Advertisements flood our screens and streets urging us to buy more, own more, and strive endlessly to accumulate.

This relentless messaging and behavior it compels leaves us overwhelmed—surrounded by clutter, drained of energy, and depleted of our most precious resource: time.

That is why minimalism continues to grow.

Deep inside, we know physical possessions won’t bring us the lasting joy or fulfillment we desire or that they promise. Real happiness never arrives with an “Order Delivered” notification.

Joy, happiness, and contentment must be found somewhere else.

I hope this message is resonating as true. Choosing simplicity sparks intentionality and frees us to focus our lives better on aligning more with our deepest values and goals.

But, if you’re not ready to jump in all at once, let me offer you a few minimalist challenges to test it out. Each may be used on a minimalist’s journey to owning less. But just taken one at a time, they don’t seem as difficult.

Here are ten minimalist challenges you can try. Any of the ten will begin to simplify your life in important ways:

1. Go One Month Without Buying Anything (Except Food and Consumables)

Challenge yourself to a month-long spending freeze. Don’t overthink it as impossible. People do it all the time. It might be helpful to know that you can still buy groceries, toiletries, gas for the car, and cleaning supplies (consumables)—just commit to buying no non-consumable items for one month.

You’ll save more money than you think (just imagine your next credit card statement showing up with an almost zero balance). Even better, this intentional shopping freeze will help you appreciate what you already have and offer new insights into your spending triggers. Win-win.

2. Reduce Your Wardrobe by 25%

Generally speaking, we wear just 20% of our clothing 80% of the time. Reduce your wardrobe by a quarter, keeping only the clothes you love and regularly use. I almost guarantee you can get there by just getting rid of clothes you never wear anymore anyway.

After the change, your closet will be less crowded, mornings will be less stressful, and you’ll discover the joy of wearing your favorite items guilt-free. If you want to change your life overnight, try this challenge and declutter 25% of your clothes.

3. Declutter the Decorations on One Shelf or Wall Unit

First, take a thoughtful, focused walk through your home looking at the different surfaces. Then, choose just one shelf (or entire wall unit if you’re ambitious) and remove all the decorations without genuine meaning or sentimental value. Afterward, notice how your home better reflects your personality and tells your story in a more intentional way. (It’ll also be easier to dust.)

4. Clear Off One Surface in Your Bedroom

Select a surface in your bedroom—perhaps your nightstand, dresser, or desk—and clear it completely. Keep this surface consistently clutter-free for a period of time. See how much the feeling of your room changes with just one clean and clear surface in the space. If you love it, go for two surfaces.

5. Set Up a Toy Rotation for Your Kids

Limit the number of toys your children have access to at any given time by setting up a toy rotation. I offer the toy rotation idea because it won’t require actually discarding any toys which will be easier for everyone. Decide to store away a number of toys, letting your kids know you’ll change them out soon enough.

After they get used to the change, see how they interact. Fewer toys out at once means less clutter, easier cleanup, and it encourages your kids to engage their imaginations and creativity more fully.

6. Box Up One Small (or Medium) Box of Kitchen Utensils

It’s more burdensome to cook in a cluttered kitchen than we realize. A decluttered, tidy kitchen makes cooking more enjoyable and we tend to eat healthier too. This challenge will help you test that out. Box up one box of kitchen gadgets that are rarely used or cluttering your drawers—then, store it out of sight.

My guess is you’ll quickly appreciate how a simpler kitchen is easier to clean AND makes cooking more enjoyable.

7. Donate Two Boxes of Unused Items to a Local Thrift Store

Identify two boxes’ worth of possessions you no longer use or need. Donating them not only frees up physical space but also fosters gratitude and generosity. See how it makes you feel to donate your excess to those in need. I think you’ll love it.

8. Clean Your Kitchen Every Night for One Week

End each day by tidying and cleaning your kitchen. Waking up to a clean kitchen will impact your morning more than you realize. This challenge is easier if you’ve done some decluttering in the kitchen (cleaning becomes easier everywhere decluttering happens), but the one week challenge can be tried at any time.

9. Review Your Credit Card Statement Line-by-Line

Carefully examine each item on your next credit card bill. Don’t just glance at the bottom or scan through the list, but look at every charge and give specific thought to each purchase. Can you even remember most of the stuff you bought last month without having to look it up? Do some math in your head (or on paper) and figure how much less money could have been spent with a more minimalist approach to spending.

This challenge reveals how much money we waste. But more than that, it will help you understand your spending habits and immediately fosters healthier financial decisions moving forward.

10. Set a Daily Digital Curfew

Challenge yourself to turn off screens after a certain hour—perhaps 8pm—for one entire week. Reclaim your evenings. If you hate it, you can always change back. But if the curfew helps you sleep better, or provides opportunity for deeper connection with family members and/or personal reflection, maybe you won’t.

Simplifying life doesn’t always require drastic transformations. Start small with just one of these challenges. See if it helps. If it does, try another. You don’t have to become a minimalist to test out any of them.

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About the Author: Joshua Becker is the Founder and Editor of Becoming Minimalist, a website read by over 1M readers every month. He is also a #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author and Founder of Simplify Magazine.